Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38980967›Full record

ArticleInfluenza and other respiratory viruses2024

Comparison of the Burden and Temporal Pattern of Hospitalisations Associated With Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Before and After COVID-19 in New Zealand.

Nikki Turner, Nayyereh Aminisani, Sue Huang, Jane O'Donnell, Adrian Trenholme, David Broderick, Janine Paynter, Lorraine Castelino, Cameron Grant, Peter McIntyre

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Influenza and other respiratory viruses, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. RSV: an overview of infection in adults.Pneumonia (Nathan Qld.) · 2025
    Review
  5. Article
  6. Review
  7. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Nikki TurnerDepartment of General Practice and Primary Healthcare, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0001-8760-5245
Nayyereh AminisaniInstitute of Environmental Science and Research, ESR, Wellington, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0001-9947-2064
Sue HuangInstitute of Environmental Science and Research, ESR, Wellington, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0002-3923-5195
Jane O'DonnellDepartment of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0002-9554-5497
Adrian TrenholmeKidz First Childrens Hopsital, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Counties Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0003-1517-8103
David BroderickDepartment of General Practice and Primary Healthcare, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.ORCID 0009-0008-5213-5886
Janine PaynterDepartment of General Practice and Primary Healthcare, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0002-8833-4501
Lorraine CastelinoDepartment of General Practice and Primary Healthcare, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Cameron GrantDepartment of Paediatrics: Child & Youth Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0002-4032-7230
Peter McIntyreDepartment of Women's and Children's Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0001-5808-7450

Funding

Flu LabNew Zealand Ministry of HealthUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChanges in the epidemiology of illnesses caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection following the COVID-19 pandemic are reported. The New Zealand (NZ) COVID-19 situation was unique; RSV community transmission was eliminated with the 2020 border closure, with a rapid and large increase in hospitalizations following the relaxation of social isolation measures and the opening of an exclusive border with Australia.

methodsThis active population-based surveillance compared the age-specific incidence and seasonality of RSV-associated hospitalizations in Auckland, NZ, for 2 years before and after the 2020 border closures. Hospitalisation rates between years were compared by age, ethnicity (European/other, Māori, Pacific and Asian) and socioeconomic group (1 = least, 5 = most deprived).

resultsThere was no RSV transmission in 2020. In all other years, hospitalisation rates were highest for people of Pacific versus other ethnic groups and for people living in the most deprived quintile of households. RSV hospitalisation rates were higher in 2021 and 2022 than in 2018-19. The epidemic peak was higher in 2021, but not 2022, and the duration was shorter than in 2018-19. In 2021, the increase in RSV hospitalisation rates was significant across all age, sex, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. In 2022, the increase in hospitalisation rates was only significant in one age (1- < 3 years), one ethnic (Asian) and one socioeconomic group (quintile 2).

conclusionsCOVID pandemic responses altered RSV-related hospitalisation seasonal patterns. Atypical features of RSV hospitalisation epidemiology were the increase in rates in older children and young adults, which lessened in 2022. Despite these variations, RSV hospitalisations in NZ continue to disproportionately affect individuals of Pacific ethnicity and those living in more socioeconomically deprived households. Whilst future public health strategies focused on RSV disease mitigation need to consider the potential shifts in epidemiological patterns when the transmission is disrupted, these variances must be considered in the context of longer-standing patterns of unequal disease distribution.

Indexed as

COVID-19HospitalizationRespiratory Syncytial Virus, HumanRespiratory Syncytial Virus InfectionsAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansIncidenceInfantInfant, NewbornMaleepidemicoutbreakrespiratory syncytial virus (RSV)SARI

Identifiers

PMID38980967
PMCPMC11232889

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.